title: Fatty acids intake and immune parameters in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The rapid increase on life-expectancy represents a major challenge and economic burden for modern societies. Several studies have focused on the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) upon the immune system; however less attention has been paid to the effects of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). In this work we investigated the relationship of habitual consumption of different types of fatty acids with different immune parameters in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  40 institutionalized elderly (76-95 y) and 35 home-living middle-age subjects (57-65 y) were recruited. Dietary intakes of macronutrients, fiber and fatty acids, as well as immune parameters such as serum cytokines levels (IL-10, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17, TGF-β and IL-12), phagocytic activity and cytotoxic NK activity, were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Elderly subjects had a lower intake of total lipids. MUFA intake was significantly lower in the elderly group than in middle-age adults whilst the contrary was true for PUFA. MUFA intake in the elderly was found to be positively associated with IL-12 (β = 0.879) and TNF-α (β = 0.789) serum concentrations, whilst PUFA intake was inversely related to levels of IL-12 (β = -0.534). These associations were not observed in the middle-age group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MUFA intake may contribute to the pro-inflammatory status present in the elderly. It may be advisable to develop future nutrient recommendations specific for elderly taking into account immune parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Functional Biology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Abelardo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Margolles
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: Angeles M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuervo
authors.forename: Clara G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: de los Reyes-Gavilán
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gueimonde
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated